Garment bands



June 26, 335 5 A. c. PETERSON GARMENT BANDS 2 ShetSSheet 1 Filed May 20, 1953 June 26. 1956 A. c. PETERSON GARMENT BANDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1955 FIG].

United States GARMENT BANDS 1 Claim. (Cl. 2-237) This invention relates to items of wearing apparel and more particularly to an elastic band construction provided either partially or completely around an opening in a garment and arranged to fit snugly around or along a portion of the body of the wearer, such as the waist.

Various expedients have heretofore been employed or suggested for providing an elastic band or belt around the periphery of an opening which receives some part of the body of the wearer. For example in garments such as mens shorts, a band or belt of this character has been provided around the waist opening to cause the garment to fit snugly about the waist of the wearer. The arrangement has sometimes been such that the band may be stretched sufiiciently to enable the latter to be drawn upwardly over the hips. In such instances it has been possible to unite permanently the ends of the band to provide an endless construction; no fastening means are required which need to be fastened or undone in applying or removing the garment. However, in other instances the extent of stretchability has been inadequate for this purpose and the band has been split at a suitable point and provided with disconnectible fastening means at such point to facilitate application and removal of the garment. To impart the desired elasticity to the band a variety of schemes have been proposed in which a raw rubber strip is employed in conjunction with sections of fabric.

A primary object of the present invention has been to provide an elastic garment band of simple and inexpensive construction, which can be easily made with assurance of uniformity of results, and which is neat and attractive in appearance and insures maximum comfort to the wearer.

Toward the foregoing ends the improved band comprises three primary elements, namely an outer fabric element which is preferably an integral part of the main body of the garment, a strip of sheet rubber, and a fabric sheath, these being interrelated in a novel manner and united by suitable lines of stitching to achieve the desired purpose.

A feature of the invention resides in the incorporation of the rubber strip in such a way that one of its longitudinal edges is entirely free, i. e. not enclosed, while its other longitudinal edge is enclosed and retained within one of the folds or hems of the sheath element. It has been found a relatively simple matter, in the rapid production of bands with this construction, to insure the proper positioning of one of the longitudinal edges of the rubber strip in relation to the fold of the sheath which forms one of the hems of this element. Moreover, any slight deviation from the intended relationship of these parts which may take place in the rapid production of the bands on high speed sewing machines will have little or no distorting effect upon the finished product because of the complete freedom of the other longitudinal edge of the rubber strip. A further advantage of the new relationship of the several parts is that it facilitates modification of the specific construction, as by using a wider atent O ice sheath forming strip and providing deeper hems on the latter, or as by using a wider rubber strip and providing transverse wave effect in the latter.

The new elastic construction may be employed throughout the circumference of the opening which is defined by the band or it may be employed, if desired, in only a selected portion of the complete band. In either case the band may be permanently closed to provide an endless construction or it may be split at a suitable point, as at the front of a waist band, and provided with suitable fastening means which may be fastened and unfastened to facilitate application and removal of the garment.

With the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention in view, several illustrative forms of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an outer face View of a fragment of the waistband portion of an undergarment, such as mens shorts, in which the improved band is incorporated, portions of the material forming the band being broken away for clarity of illustration of other parts;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the band of Fig. 1, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified band construction;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrates a further modified form of band construction;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 showing a still fur ther modified form of band embodying the invention;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating another modified form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and 1 Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating still an other modified form of band embodying the invention.

For purposes of illustration, various forms of garment band construction have been shown as applied to the waistband of an item of underwear such as mens shorts. It should be understood, however, that the invention may be applied to bands provided at other points in a garment, such as around the wrist portions or around the ankle portions of an undergarment.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a section of fabric 10 which forms an integral part of the material of which the main portion of the garment, embodying the improved band construction, is formed. This fabric is preferably of woven textile character and may suitably be in the nature of broadcloth. It may, however, be a knit fabric, if desired, such as jersey. The top portion of the section 10 is folded over to provide a hem 11 of any desired depth. Applied to the inner face of the section 10 in the region of the hem 11 is a sheath 12 having a longitudinal hem 13 along its upperedge, and a similar hem 14 along its lower edge. hem 13 is in face to face engagement with the hem 11. However, the upper edge 15 of the sheath, which is formed by the line along which the hem 13 is folded, is preferably slightly below the edge 16 formed by the fold line for the hem 11. Between the hem 13 and the main body of the sheath 12 is inserted the upper portion of a strip of sheet rubber 17 which extends longitudinally of the band construction. The upper edge 18 of the rubber strip is preferably spaced slightly from the inner face of the fold forming the hem 13. Distortion of the upper edge of the rubber strip is thus avoided and any minor variation in the spacing between the upper edge of the rubber strip and the inner surface of the fold forming the hem 13 does not interfere with the proper functioning;

of the band. The lower portion of the rubber strip is To unite the several sections of material forming the band a plurality of lines of stitching, preferably four, designated 21,22, 23 and 24, are provided. These lines of stitching extend longitudinally of the band and are preferably spaced uniformly from top to bottom. Stitch.-

ing21 passes through five layers of material, namely,

the main body of the garment fabric 10, the hem ll of the latter, the hem 13 I of the sheath, the rubber strip 17,.and the main body of the sheath 12. Lines of stitching 22 and 23 pass through only three layers of material, namely the main body of the garment fabric 1%. the'rubber strip 17, and the main body of the sheath 12. Stitching 24 passes through four layers of material, namely the main body of the garment fabric it the rubber strip '17, the hem 14 of the sheath, and the main body of the sheath.

is formed is cut on the bias to increase its stretchability in a longitudinal direction. As it is stretched in applying the garment to the body there is a tendency to flatten out the pillow formations explained above. extent as the pillows are not flattened out, they tend to provide ribs or ridges which extend longitudinally of the band and assist in retaining the garment in' set position on the body. Other elements of the band of Fig. 3 which have not been specifically mentioned correspond with those of Figs. 1 and 2 and are identified by the same numerals with the addition of an a thereto.

Turning now to Figs. 4 and'S, another modification of the invention is illustrated. This embodies a section Sheath 12 is preferably formed of knit fabric such a as jersey, although it may, if desired, be formed of a woven textile material. When formed of knitted fabric a smooth, soft, and comfortable feeling is provided at that surface of the band which engages a portion of the body of the wearer.

In forming the band, the rubber strip 17 is placed under tension and stretched to a suitable extent, say, until it is about one and a half times its untensioned' length, at the time the lines of stitching 21, 22,23 and 24 are applied. The extent of stretching may be varied to suit the particular requirements. This may be accomplished automatically on a sewing machine of conventional construction equipped with four needles. to form the four separate lines of stitching A metering device is provided for supplying the relaxed strip of sheet rubher at a rate less than the rate of feed of the sewing machine, in any desired and predetermined ratio.

stitching point, i. e., the Zone of operation of the needles, the rubber strip is stretched appropriately to provide the desired tension. Any suitable feeding devices may be employed in the sewing machine, but these preferably include puller rollers beyond the point of stitch formation which serve in conjunction with the metering device to apply the desired tension to the rubber strip and advance the same through the stitching point at a faster rate than the relaxed rubber strip is supplied by the metering device. When the band-forming elements pass beyond the puller rollers or other work feeding devices of the sewing machine, the tension on the rubber strip is released and the latter will be restored to substantially its initial unstretched length. In doing so, it will cause the garment fabric it to become shirred 'or ruflled in,

the manner indicated in Fig. 1. This is on the assump tion that the garment fabric is of woven character. However, the sheath 12, which is formed of a stretchable,

knitted fabric is simply compacted by the release of tension on the rubber strip and is not caused to assume the Shirred formation of the garment fabric. If thelatter is formed of knit construction also, the shirred or ruffled effect will not be provided on the outer face of the band and the latter will present substantially the same smooth appearance as the inner face of the sheath.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with the exception that the sheath 12a is formed of a strip of knit fabric which is somewhat. wider than that employed in Fig. '2. As incorporated in the band, the overall width Ac ce-rdingly as the band as a whole is advanced through the p 4 and 5 is disclosed. It differs from the preceding form. in the depth of the hems provided on the sheath. Thus,

of garment fabric 25 similar to the fabric 10, having its upper edge folded inwardly and downwardly to provide a hem 26.

manner shown. This sheath is provided with hems 28 and 2;? along its upper and lower longitudinal edges, respectively. A strip of sheet rubber 30 has its'lower edge portion inserted within the hem 29, the lower edge 31 of the rubber strip being spaced slightly from the inner face of the edge 32 provided by the fold which forms the hem 2i The upper portion of the rubber strip 39 is positioned between the two hems 26 and 28. Preferably, as illustrated, the upper edge 33 of the sheath is slightly lower than the upper edge 34 of the garment fabric 25, while the upper edge 35 of the rubber strip is slightly lower than the. edge 33 of the sheath. in this way the upper edge of the rubber strip is substantially concealed and merely the garment fabric 25 may be seen as the garment is applied to the wearer.

As in the first embodiment, four lines of stitching 36,

37, 3t; and 39 are preferably provided to unite the several members forming the waistband. through five layers, namely the main body of the'garment fabric 25, the hem 26 thereof, the rubber strip 3%, the hem 28 of the sheath and the main body of the sheath fabric. Lines of stitching 37 and 33 pass through only three layers, namely the main body of the gar--' ment fabric 35, the rubber strip 36 and the main body of the sheath 27. Stitching 39 passes through four layers of material, i. e. fabric 25, hem 29, rubber strip 30 and the main body of the sheath 27. v

In Fig. 6 a construction similar to that shown in Figs.

the sheath 27a is formed with a deep hem 28a along its upper longitudinal edge and a deep hem 29a along its lower longitudinal edge. A strip of sheet rubber 30a has its lower portion inserted between the hem 29a and the main body of the'sheath and its upper portion disposed outside the hem 28a and between the latter and the hem 26a of the main garment fabric 25a. In other respects the constructionis the same as in Fig. 5, except for'the fact that the intermediate lines of stitching 37a and 38a pass through four layers of material because .each. passesthrough one of the hems 28a and 29a, in addition to the of the sheath is no greater, but the excess width of r the strip forming the sheath is caused to balloon outwardly to form pillows between the adjacent lines of stitching 21a, 22a, 23a and 24a. Preferably in this construction thestrip of knit fabric from which the sheath main body fabric, the rubber strip, and the main body of the sheath. 7 i

Fig. 7 illustrates a still further modification in which deephems are provided as in the Fig. 6 construction. However, the strip of sheet rubber 'has its upper edge enclosed within the upper hem of the sheath rather than within the lower hem. It comprises a main garment fabric 40 folded to provide a hem 41, a sheath 42 folded to provide upper and lower hems l3 and 44, respectively, and a'strip of sheet rubber 45 having its upper portion within the hem 43 and its lower portion between the outer face of hem 44 and the inner face of the garment fabric 4! The various elements of the band are united by lines of stitching 51, 52, 53 and 5'4. Stitching 51 passes through five layers of material while the remaining lines of stitch- To such A sheath 27, similar to the sheath 12, is applied to the inner face of the garment fabric in the Stitching 36 passes,

fication similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3, having a main garment fabric 40a folded inwardly at its top to provide a hem and having a sheath 42a folded to provide hems along its upper and lower edges. A strip of sheet rubber 45a, having its upper edge enclosed in the top hem of sheath 42a and its lower edge between the fabric 40a and the lower hem of the sheath, is provided with longitudinally extending bulges between the several lines of stitching 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a. Thus, when the band is relaxed the section of the rubber strip between two adjacent lines of stitching is somewhat wider than the spacing between those lines of stitching. As the band is streached, the rubber strip has a tendency to contract in its width and thus reduce or even eliminate the bulged effect. An advantage of this arrangement is that it eliminates any widthwise contracting force on the band as a whole. In other respects the construction of Fig. 9 may be the same as that shown and described in relation to Fig. 3.

While a number of different embodiments of the invention have been described in some detail, it will be understood that other changes may be made within the scope of the appended claim. Features described in relation to one form of the invention may be employed in relation to other forms.

What I claim is:

In a garment having a fabric portion arranged to provide an opening adapted to receive a part of the body of the wearer, an elastic band defining said opening which comprises a section of said fabric portion folded over to provide a hem, a strip of sheet rubber, and a sheath formed of fabric having each of its longitudinal edges folded over to provide a hem, said sheath being disposed along the inner face of said fabric portion in the region of said opening with the outer fold line of said sheath positioned 6 a slight distance inwardly of the fold line of said fabric portion, said strip of sheet rubber having one of its longitudinal edges incorporated in and enclosed within the outermost of said hems of the sheath, said edge of the strip being closely adjacent to the inner face of the fold line of said outermost hem of the sheath, the opposite edge of said strip of sheet rubber being free and interposed between the outer face of the other of said hems of the sheath and said fabric portion, said opposite edge of said strip being positioned inwardly of but closely adjacent to the fold line of said other of said hems of the sheath, the arrangement of the strip being such that it is disposed diagonally from top to bottom thereof and has its upper longitudinal edge spaced by two of said hems from the main body of said fabric portion and its lower longitudinal edge disposed against said main body of said fabric portion and spaced by another of said hems from the main body of said sheath, and a plurality of lines of stitching extending longitudinally of the band and passing through said fabric portion, said strip of sheet rubber and said sheath to unite the same, at least one of said lines of stitching passing through said hem of said fabric portion and one of the hems of said sheath along a line spaced a substantial distance inwardly of the fold line of said one hem of the sheath, and at least one other of said lines of stitching passing through the other of said hems of the sheath along a line spaced a substantial distance inwardly of the fold line of said other hem of the sheath.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,288,391 De Voe Dec. 7, 1918 2,343,374 Hargreaves Mar. 7, 1944 2,617,113 Hardie Nov. 11, 1952 

